Final answer:
Children whose parents are authoritative often behave in socially competent ways. Authoritative parents display a balance of warm engagement and clear expectations, which foster children's self-esteem and social abilities.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main answer to the question of which parenting style often results in children behaving in socially competent ways is (c) Authoritative. In the authoritative parenting style, parents combine warmth and affection with reasonable demands and consistent limits. They engage in active communication, sharing the reasoning behind rules and showing flexibility when needed, such as relaxing rules during family vacations for special events. This approach fosters high self-esteem and social skills in children, which are crucial components of social competence.In contrast, the authoritarian style is more rigid and less nurturing, which can lead to anxious and unhappy children, though it may be beneficial in certain cultural contexts. The permissive style often results in children lacking self-discipline and facing negative academic outcomes, despite sometimes having higher self-esteem and better social skills. Lastly, the uninvolved or neglectful style can result in emotional withdrawal and increased risk of negative behaviors due to the lack of parental engagement.In conclusion, the authoritative parenting style is most conducive to nurturing social competence in children due to its balanced approach combining structure with nurturing communication.